he goes back to one of the better law practices in north carolina. all my folks from cannon mills, kannapolis. you are done enough to come back. i wish you well. -- young enough to come back. i wish you well. and hansen clarke. he was a great guy. it was an honor to serve on this committee with all of you. no matter what they go to next, there will always be friends and colleagues. miss johnson, i think you again for yielding back. at this time, i would like to introduce our panel of witnesses. robert s. walker is a former chairman of this committee. pablo this committee from 1995 to 1997. -- bob led this committee from 1995 to 1997. welcome, bob. retired major-general ronald siegel. he currently serves as vice president enterprise executive for energy in the environment for colorado state university and ohio state university. led a distinguished career in the u.s. air force. d.o.d. executive force base, and prior to that, director of defense research and technology. he flew two space shuttles. we certainly welcome you. >> we welcome, honorable mario